Looking for an affordable smartphone? The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro and Realme C31 are both contenders in the budget space, but cater to different needs. One prioritizes rugged durability, while the other focuses on a more mainstream experience. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C31 generally offers a smoother user experience thanks to its slightly more capable chipset and potentially better software optimization. However, the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro's rugged design and water resistance make it the clear winner for those needing a durable device in demanding environments.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 07 | 2022, March 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Available. Released 2022, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.5 x 13.9 mm (6.22 x 3.05 x 0.55 in) | 164.7 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.2m
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~63.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Red, Black, Green | Light Silver, Dark Green |
| Models | - | RMX3501 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Ulefone Armor X9 Pro
- Rugged and durable design
- Water and dust resistant (IP68/IP69K)
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Affordable price
- Lower performance compared to Realme C31
- Basic camera capabilities
- 10W charging is slow
- HD+ display resolution
Realme C31
- Slightly better performance
- Potentially better software optimization
- More polished user experience
- Affordable price
- Less durable than Armor X9 Pro
- Basic camera capabilities
- 10W charging is slow
- HD+ display resolution
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar 6.53-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. Expect adequate viewing angles and brightness for everyday use, but don't expect vibrant colors or high resolution. The Realme C31 might have slightly better color accuracy due to potentially better panel calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones featuring a primary 13MP camera and potentially a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The Realme C31 might have slightly better image processing algorithms, resulting in marginally better photos in good lighting conditions. The Armor X9 Pro's ruggedness might be more valuable than camera quality for its target audience.
Performance
The Realme C31's Unisoc Tiger T612, with its dual Cortex-A75 cores, offers a performance edge over the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro's Helio A25. While both are budget chipsets, the Realme C31 should handle multitasking and light gaming slightly better. Expect some lag on both devices with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, suggesting all-day battery life for moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water. The Realme C31 is a better choice for everyday users who prioritize a more polished software experience and slightly better performance for casual gaming and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro waterproof?
Yes, the Ulefone Armor X9 Pro is rated IP68/IP69K, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to a certain depth and duration.
❓ Can the Realme C31 handle gaming?
The Realme C31 can handle light gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in demanding games. It's better suited for casual games and basic app usage.
